Master of Environmental Management (MEM)

Entry requires a recognised three-year Bachelor degree in any discipline, not restricted to the sciences.see details below

Program Duration

The Master of Environmental Management is 1-2 year full-time program depending upon the grant of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)It is normally taken as a 96 unit of credit program, over a minimum of 4 full-time sessions, or 8 part-time sessions.However, it can be taken as a 72 UOC (1.5 years full-time equivalent) or 48 UOC program (1 year full-time equivalent), subject to RPL.

Lectures and seminars are usually scheduled in the evening, allowing flexibility for those who work during the day.The program is available on campus or online . The IES aims to provide as much flexibility as possible in the delivery of the MEM program. The mandatory courses are available online and a number of disciplinary knowledge and potential electives are available online or by short-course mode.

Apply NOW at https://apply.unsw.edu.auNB: PLEASE ENSURE YOU √ (tick) the box indicating 'Recognition of Prior Learning'. This will help with processing your application.

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the Master of Environmental Management are required to complete a program totalling 96 units of credit (UOC). Ordinarily, students must complete:

Three compulsory 6UOC Core Courses (totalling 18 UOC)

Four 6UOC Disciplinary Knowledge courses (totalling 24 UOC)

Elective courses, to make up the total of 96 UOC overall. At least 2 IEST electives (totalling 12 UOC or more) must be taken.

Students who achieve a Distinction level (75%) average after their first four courses may seek approval from the Program Coordinator to replace some electives with an approved Internship Research Project (6 UOC), and/or a research project for those who are interested: Research project (24 UOC).

Disciplinary Knowledge Courses

Students will bring very different knowledge bases to the program, and will need to fill different knowledge gaps to achieve the 'disciplinary knowledge' (DK) courses for which they cannot demonstrate sufficient background. For example, a student with a background in engineering will probably take DK courses in Ecology, Economics, Law and Social Science, while a student with a Social Science/Law background will probably take DK courses in Ecology, Economics, Engineering and Physical Science. The courses to be taken will be determined following discussion of academic qualifications and experience with the program coordinator. Ordinarily, students will take four out of the six Disciplinary Knowledge courses:

IEST5008: Ecosystem Management: (6 UOC) Course Outline PDFIEST7100: Environmental Management: Economics Fundamentals: (6 UOC) Course Outline PDFIEST7200: Environmental Law Fundamentals: (6 UOC) Course Outline PDFIEST7300: Environmental Management: Physical Science Fundamentals: (6 UOC) Course Outline PDFIEST7400: Environmental Management: Social Science Fundamentals (6 UOC) IEST7500: Environmental Management: Engineering Fundamentals: (6 UOC) Course Outline PDFNote: Where students can demonstrate sufficient disciplinary background or experience they may, with the permission of the Program Coordinator, take fewer than four DK courses, and replace them with electives. Where students are completing the full 96 UOC program at UNSW, students may also opt to take more than 4 DK courses, if they lack sufficient disciplinary experience in the 6 areas.

To ensure the achievement of basic environmental literacy students are required to choose Fundamental Knowledge courses for which they cannot demonstrate sufficient experience. This will help the student with no background in the field to participate in addressing environmental issues as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The following three electives are also recommended introductory courses for students from non-cognate backgrounds:

A minimum of 30 UOC of Advanced Disciplinary electives must be taken. Students are eligible to take up to 54UOC of elective courses (including research electives where eligible). 12 UOC or more must be chosen from the list of advanced disciplinary electives offered by the Institute of Environmental Studies (with IEST code):

Students may choose other electives offered outside the IES, from a pre-approved MEM elective list (some electives may need School approval) or as approved by the MEM Postgraduate Coordinator. For students who have not received advanced standing for their program and are completing the full 96 UOC at UNSW, electives may also include choosing from foundational recommended electives, depending upon your disciplinary background. For more details on the content of these courses, please see the Electives information page.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65. The Bachelor’s degree can be in any discipline;

A Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management with a WAM greater than 65;

An Honour’s degree at a recognised or reputable university;

A Bachelor’s degree with a WAM of 50-65 plus approximately five years professional experience in a relevant field which includes:-environmental officer, planner and similar in local government; environmental consulting, contamination assessment, geotechnical consulting, environmental health assessment and EIA; environmental operations management (e.g. maintaining or auditing an environmental management system); environmental project officer/manager, natural resource management officer/manager or similar for state or federal government or for catchment authorities; corporate environmental and/or energy monitoring, reporting and evaluation/auditing; corporate sustainability reporting; project management with an environmental focus; building sustainability or energy efficiency assessment; environmental outreach, extension or education (usually government or catchment management); research assistant or associate on environmental themes; or, NGO or international organisation environmental campaign managers.

Applicants with other relevant qualifications and experience not listed may apply for admission to this program and will need to demonstrate that they have achieved the same knowledge and skills (learning outcomes) through their formal or informal learning as the qualifications listed for entry for this program. This may be evidenced by:

qualification certificates

records of assessment activities relating to course or program learning outcomes

examples of experience from the workplace

community, or other context which demonstrate relevant skills, knowledge or competencies

membership (or eligibility for membership) of professional organisations which require attainment of certain qualificationstestimonials of skills, knowledge or competencies from workplace supervisors.

Any relevant documentation should be attached to the application and will be considered by the Academic Coordinator for the Program. Those that apply for the MEM from a cognate field and/or apply with an Honours degree may be able to apply for credit based on ROPL as outlined below. Those that enter the MEM program from a non-cognate Bachelor or other degree will only be eligible for credit where it is directly relevant to environmental management.

Articulation Rules

Students who have completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate or Diploma in Environmental Management (programs 5499 and 7339) with a credit average are eligible for admission to the Masters of Environmental Management with full credit for courses already completed. Students who wish to exit the Masters program early may nominate to transfer to and graduate from the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma provided the requirements for the program have been met.

Pathways

MEM alumni are working in prominent environmental positions in government, NGOs, the private sector, and consultancies. Students completing 42 UOC of project work in the program may also consider applying for Masters by ResearchorPhD programs.

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Testimonials

The strong desire to get involved in a new and exciting field where I could play my part in 'saving the world' was what drew me to the Master of Environmental Management (MEM). My background is a bit of an eclectic one, with a bachelor degree in philosophy and years of language study and ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching experience, plus occasional website content management work. The MEM core courses and inter-faculty electives allowed me to explore my interests and learn practical tools.Through the MEM I have made a career change, met friends for life, future business partners, and kindred souls from all over the world.

James Martin

Analyst and Online Development Manager for America and Europe, Solar Choice Pty Ltd

The MEM complemented my past work experience in Biodiversity Restoration and my Bachelors degree in Environment and Development by introducing practical skills and tools that are essential to environmental decision-making. The diversity of courses and electives allowed me to tailor a program geared towards my interests, while independent research electives allowed me to uncover new developments and debates in my career field. Following the completion of the MEM, I began my new role at Citola, an Australian based company managing a diversity of forestry ecosystem resources and natural capital projects.

Jenny DeMarco

Project Development Manager, CITOLA

My Research A project documented the process I went through in organising the UNSW Postgrad Council, and analysed the lessons for bringing about organisational change as they applied to different subject areas (ie environmental protection). The Council project was an important factor in my election as Vice President of CAPA in 2010. The Postgrad Council project drew out the applicable lessons that could be applied to environmental protection.This analysis also enabled me to demonstrate to my eventual employer (EPA) that I was capable of effecting organisational change to bring about environmental benefits. I'm currently managing a variety of major projects, including our response to proposals to build a controversial new power station and a new freeway. It's challenging and I'm on a steep learning curve, but the work has real environmental benefits and it's enormously satisfying to be "in the room".

Georgina Smith

The MEM at the IES provided the perfect addition to my Environmental Sciences undergraduate degree. The multidisciplinary nature of the MEM enabled us to truly grasp the intertwining relationship between the economic, social, and environmental factors shaping our society and the choice of electives and research topics allows for one to formulate a specific career path. I focused my electives on Geographic Information Systems and took on the Research A topic to investigate the suitability of Green Roofs in the Sydney CBD.My current job requires hands on people management experience to couple with the theoretical knowledge acquired during the MEM. The course instilled an understanding of a system-based approach critical to shifting the current trajectory of ‘business as usual’ towards a more sustainable future.

Shahryar Ahrestani

Project Manager, Australian Bureau of Statistics

The MEM provided me with the theoretical foundation to understand the complexity of sustainability, the scientific body of knowledge to inform my analysis of climate change implications, and the practical tools to help organisations adapt in a rapidly changing environment of increased risk and unfamiliar opportunity. The degree is more comprehensive than current offerings by other institutions in order to accommodate the trans-disciplinary approach that is required by managers and executives to promote better decision-making. My degree has enabled me to apply a more rigorous analysis to strategic frameworks and enterprise risk management, and to engage in more robust interactions and ‘whole of organisation’ thinking.

Christa Avery

Principal, The Walton Group

I am a trained physicist and environmental manager with ten years consultancy experience. I began my environmental studies in Sweden in 1995, focusing on climate change and energy and before coming to Australia I worked as a systems engineer in vehicle electronic and software development projects in Europe and the US. The Master of Environmental Management (MEM) program at UNSW provided me with a seamless link from my previous experiences and expertise to develop a cross-disciplinary framework and master the right tools to address the sustainability challenges facing businesses and governments in Australia today. Beyond the curriculum, the MEM program enabled me to establish a rich network of contacts in academia, industry and government which has been instrumental for my career.

Jonas Bengtsson

Technical Director, Edge Environment

Completing the MEM literally changed my life, income and possibilities. I structured my degree so that I acquired a second practical skill as an energy/environmental management systems auditor and as a result I was able to enter a whole new profession as well as shaping the foundation, policies and programs of the international environmental development aid agency that I Chair. Rather than be pleased to have finished, the IES academic staff inspired me to study more. I cannot recommend the UNSW’s Master of Environmental Management enough or the special experience you will have acquiring it through the very unique Institute of Environmental Studies.

Petra Campbell

CEO International Help Fund Australia

Angela Pringle is an environmental markets lawyer who completed the MEM in 2010. She also has a B.A. in political science from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Angie has worked in the ethical and sustainable funds management industry and is now co-authoring a textbook in Environmental Markets law while also completing a PhD in Law focused on Endocrine disrupting chemicals: law, markets and alternative management solutions, at the University of Hong Kong."